Valley athletes expected to pen deals

A pair of Chaparral baseball standouts are expected to join
several other Valley athletes Wednesday in signing national letters
of intent with NCAA Division I universities.

Catcher Cody Rizzo will sign with Notre Dame, while shortstop
Allen Craig will ink with Cal. Both said a combination of academics
and baseball factored into their respective decisions.

"A big reason was academics," Rizzo said. "There are only a few
schools that have the combination of a great baseball program and
great academics."

Rizzo plans on majoring in mechanical or civil engineering
during his stay in South Bend, Ind., while Craig, who chose Cal
over Stanford, Arizona and Notre Dame, is looking at business or
psychology at Berkeley.

"Obviously, it's one of the best schools in the nation," Craig
said. "I really like the coaches and the program is getting better.
I think when I get there they'll be ready to contend for the Pac-10
title."

Both expect to see substantial playing time as freshmen. Rizzo,
who chose the Fighting Irish over Arizona, USD and San Francisco,
says the Notre Dame coaching staff has told him that he will split
the catching duties and also see some time in the outfield. Craig
will play in the infield.

Craig believes the Bears will have a good chance at making the
College World Series, which was a big reason behind his decision to
attend Cal. As a 14-year old, Craig got a chance to attend the
College World Series while playing in a travel ball tournament in
Omaha, Neb.

"That would mean a lot to me," Craig said. "That's one of the
reason's I chose Cal."

Both say they will stick with their college commitments if they
are selected in the Major League Baseball amateur draft in
June.

"I want to go to college and have that experience," Rizzo said.
"I want to have that degree to fall back on."

Last season Notre Dame had a record of 49-13-1, while the Bears
were 34-25.

Chaparral softball pitcher Summer Tobias committed to Nebraska
in September and expects to sign with the Cornhuskers on Wednesday.
Linfield softball catcher Valerie Alston expects to sign with
Minnesota after verbally committing in September. Murrieta Valley
swimmer Lindsay Love may sign during the early signing period and
is considering Virginia and Rutgers, amongst others.

Temescal Canyon girls basketball standout Anita River expects to
stay on the West Coast and sign with Oregon State.

Temescal football punter Tom Malone committed to USC before the
start of the school year. Football players cannot sign letters of
intent until February, though.

Adrian Pomery can be reached at (909) 676-4315 Ext. 2630 or
gball@nctimes.com.